U.K. Update: An appetite for technology

Farmers’ current appetite for technology is undoubtedly high, given the number of new machines and equipment being developed for this lucrative market on a daily basis.

That’s exactly what EuroTier, the world’s largest livestock equipment trade fair, held in November, showcased to the 120,000 visitors. 

The four-day event in Hannover hosted 13 halls of the latest machinery, equipment and technology from 2,193 exhibitors hailing from 51 countries. 

AI developments were a major player, either at the forefront or in the background of the innovations showcased. For example, there were calf feeders that talk to humans, reporting how their animals are performing. 

And of course, the use of robots within all the livestock sectors was highlighted on many stands such as robotic feeding systems, robotic washing units, and even an autonomous loading shovel. 

ManuRob: Loadix autonomous handler

French company ManuRob showed its Loadix autonomous handler at EuroTier.

With a hefty price tag of €359,000 (CAD $534,000; USD $370,000), this machine comes with two loading attachments and is initially designed for the biogas industry. Livestock farm use is also anticipated with the next version of the loader sometime in 2025. 

Powered by a Lithium LFP battery, the Loadix can lift two tonnes up to 4.1M and uses GPS RTK to move around. It detects any obstacles via LiDAR and has cameras to identify its load material. Two electric motors power the transmission and the hydraulic lift pump. The company says the machine will work between six and 24 hours before recharging, depending on the material and distance it must travel. 

Fliegl: KDS 255 muck spreader

Fliegl has expanded its portfolio with the new chain manure spreader KDS 255 Muck Control. This model closes the gap between the large tandem spreaders and the more compact KDS 140.

The KDS 255 has a permissible total weight of 18, 19 or 20 tons and a stable tandem chassis, which ensures excellent driving characteristics and can optionally be equipped with a steering axle. Filling with the front loader is easy and efficient due to the low body design. The conical trough of the KDS 255 has dimensions of 5500 x 2000 or 1200 mm. It has a spreading width of up to 26m and a hydraulic tailgate with a mechanically adjustable fall angle.

Forster-Technik: CalfGPT

CalfGPT is a new management tool that allows farmers to check on the health status of individual calves by using simple voice commands.  

Based on the leading AI system from OpenAI, the system enables the farmer to enquire about individual calves using a voice connection via the farm’s own WiFi.

The farmer can receive specific information about the calves vocally and via alarms on a mobile phone or tablet in direct response. Pre-formulated commands are not necessary and new information concerning individual calves can also be sent directly and verbally to CalfGPT for further documentation.

The system gathers the data from the company’s range of calf feeders, to which it can be connected via Bluetooth. 

Moving Floor: Moving Floor concept

Swedish company Moving Floor Gotland AB has developed a pen for weaned or finishing pigs that effectively cleans itself by rotating the floor and scraping away the manure and urine. 

The conveyor belt rotating floor is powered by air compression requiring eight bars to operate at previously set time intervals. The company says this has the advantage of a pig unit with up to 85 percent lower ammonia emissions, compared to a normal pig barn. 

The unit weighs 1,200kgs, measures 5.4M by 2.4M, covering an area of 11.6 square metres, and is 1.6M high. It is a wooden structure covered in stainless steel with an average energy consumption of under 100 kWh/pig/year. 

No water is required to clean the floor and the system saves on labor costs. •

• Source: https://www.manuremanager.com/u-k-update-an-appetite-for-technology/